Corn, Dean hope to finish 1-2 in the Hobby Stock division at the Merced Speedway
When the 2017 Merced Speedway racing season began, young Hobby Stock Division drivers Garrett Corn and Kodie Dean made a vow to each other: They would finish the season ranking first and second in the point standings.
“We decided it wouldn’t matter who was first and who was second – as long as it was one of us in each position,” explains Corn.
That goal could be achieved, as Corn, from Catheys Valley and Dean of Chowchilla traded the top spot in the point standings all season long. On Saturday night, Corn, who is six points behind leader Dean, will have one last chance to snatch the championship from his best racing friend.
To complicate matters for Dean, the race is a double point event for the Hobby Stock division. Dean has calculated and recalculated the different scenarios for Saturday’s season finale.
“I have to finish two spots behind Garrett (Corn) to win the championship,” Dean explains. “If I finish three positions behind him it will be a tie for the championship.”
Of course, Dean can finish ahead of Corn and clinch the championship.
“I’m gong to go out and do the same thing I have done all season long – race for a win,” Dean says.
Corn will do likewise.
“I’m racing to win, and hoping to get a top three,” Corn says. “‘I will be just as happy if Kodie wins the championship and I
finish second.”
SAVE A CAR, ALMOST LOSE A CAR
Dean did not want to sacrifice his car when he competed in the John Fore, Jr. Memorial event two weeks ago. He dusted off his old Camaro, took it to the track, and kept his new car in the garage.
“The John Fore, Jr. Memorial was big money race, and drivers drive over the heads when there is extra money to win,” Dean explains. “I wound up getting put into the wall during the feature, so driving the old car was the right decision.”
Corn decided to drive his one and only car in the John Fore, Jr. Memorial race. He did not fare as well.
“My car got collected in a wreck when a visiting driver spun out,” Corn explains. “After that I noticed the rear end of the car was not performing well.”
Corn had to rip the rear end out of his stock car and Dean was right there to help him this week. While Dean’s car was sitting ready for this Saturday’s event, Corn’s car needed work and was the focus of both drivers.
“We’ve had good battles all season long and haven’t wrecked each other,” says Dean, who has raced in mini-stocks and hobby stock cars for five years.
“We’ve had so much fun I don’t want it to end.”
Corn, a racer since he was four years old, has been in a hobby stock for two years. He’s excited about Saturday’s big race.
“We’ve both given each other a lot of intense competition all year – and we want it to continue on Saturday night – so we’re working together on the cars,” Corn says. “We are just one big happy racing family.”
The two drivers will park next to each other in the pits, sharing pit crewmembers and helping make both cars be in tip-top shape for their final battle of 2017.
“I don’t care if Garrett (Corn) is in my rear view mirror or right in front of me – as long as I see him there,” says Dean. “It’s been a fun year.”
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT MERCED SPEEDWAY
The IMCA Modified, IMCA SportMod, and Hobby Stock divisions will be featured in Saturday night’s final race of the season. Randy Brown of Chowchilla has a commanding lead in the IMCA Modified division, 55 points ahead of Bruce “Bubba Nelson” of Winton. Fred Ryland of Brentwood is untouchable with a 65-point lead over Jeremy Hoff of Copperopolis.
All three divisions will have a complete program of qualifying races and a feature event. The Pit Area will open at 1 p.m. and the Grand Stand will open at 5. The races begin at 7.
The cost is $12 for adults and children 6-12 are $5. Children 5 and under are free.
This story was originally published September 22, 2017 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Corn, Dean hope to finish 1-2 in the Hobby Stock division at the Merced Speedway."